The Netherlands: An Ongoing Love Affair

Monday, July 06, 2015

Whenever I'm in Amsterdam I find myself wondering with no small measure of frustration, "Why don't I live here?" This is especially true during the summer, when I can easily imagine an alternate life in which J and I spend our days sipping machiattos on sunny terraces; sailing through the canals with cold Heinekens in hand; biking through the charming cobblestone streets; cozying up on the couch with Indonesian takeout; marathon drinking in the lively bars; and dancing til dark in music festivals. While the picture is crystal clear in my mind, life has yet to get on with my imagined programme ... so for now, I have to be content with living out bits and pieces of the Amsterdam life I've envisioned whenever I can get away.

I spent the loveliest week in Amsterdam with (mostly) gorgeous weather: not too hot (as it was this week) nor too rainy (as it was the week prior). It was as if this charming city was conspiring to make me fall even deeper in love. We spent our days having beer and bitterballen by the canal; exploring the city by foot and by boat; hanging out with friends; and squeezing in as many dates in our favorite spots as possible.

We also took a little trip out to the suburbs to visit family and indulge in classic Dutch poffertjes—heaps of tiny pancakes toped with sugar, butter and, if you please, even a generous splash of Grand Marnier. While I'm not quite sure that I'm cut out for Dutch suburbia (or that Dutch suburbia is ready for a little Asian firecracker like me!), it's always fun to imagine what life could be like in these parts.

Now that I'm back in New York, I am suffering from severe Netherlands withdrawal. I guess there's only one thing to do: Channel all that frustration into finding my way there! Wish me luck ...

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I feel exactly the same! I'd love to live in a cool apartment by a canal, spending my spare time cycling around Vondelpark and drinking Dutch beer in the sunshine...but I'm stuck in dreary Manchester, UK.

So happy to have someone to commisserate with Jade! If it helps, the Dutch folks tell me their weather can be quite similar to Manchester most of the time ;) Here's hoping we have more sunny Amsterdam days in our future though!

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At a young age we're taught that "happily ever after" cannot begin until Prince Charming rides up on his steed, sweeps us off our glass slipper-shod feet, and whisks us off into the sunset. Life did eventually bring me to that traditional fairy tale ending, but I still believe that finding Prince Charming is not a prerequisite to happiness. There is joy to be found in the here and now, wherever you may be in your personal fairy tale, and this blog is my way of appreciating and celebrating all the different ways of living happily ever after. [Read more ... ]

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